US9079420B2 - Printing control device and printing image control method - Google Patents

Printing control device and printing image control method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US9079420B2
US9079420B2 US13/774,102 US201313774102A US9079420B2 US 9079420 B2 US9079420 B2 US 9079420B2 US 201313774102 A US201313774102 A US 201313774102A US 9079420 B2 US9079420 B2 US 9079420B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
ink
nozzle group
color
discharged
printing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US13/774,102
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20130278660A1 (en
Inventor
Hiroyuki Tsuji
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION reassignment SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TSUJI, HIROYUKI
Publication of US20130278660A1 publication Critical patent/US20130278660A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US9079420B2 publication Critical patent/US9079420B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
    • B41J2/2132—Print quality control characterised by dot disposition, e.g. for reducing white stripes or banding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
    • B41J2/2107—Ink jet for multi-colour printing characterised by the ink properties
    • B41J2/2114—Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids
    • B41J2/2117—Ejecting white liquids

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a printing control device for printing, on a printing medium, a color image layer representing an image and a background image layer which is superimposed onto the color image layer.
  • a known example of this type of printing control device is a device in which nozzles for discharging ink are divided into a plurality of nozzle groups and ink is discharged from each nozzle group as a printing medium moves (as described in WO 2005/105452).
  • printing is carried out by using nozzles including a row of nozzles which discharge color ink for recording a color image and a row of nozzles which discharge special ink for recording a background image and by moving the nozzles in a main scanning direction with respect to the printing medium, and also by discharging ink from the nozzles onto the printing medium while moving the printing medium in a sub-scanning direction with respect to the nozzles.
  • the nozzles are divided into a first nozzle group which is arranged at an upstream side where printing is first carried out and a second nozzle group which is arranged at a downstream side and being adjacent to the first nozzle group, and ink is discharged from the nozzle rows of each nozzle group when the printing medium is moved in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the nozzles.
  • special ink is discharged from the nozzle rows of the first nozzle group to form a background image, and after a recording medium on which the background image has been formed is transported in the sub-scanning direction, color ink for forming a color image layer is discharged from the nozzle rows of the second nozzle group in the portion in which the background image is formed.
  • Printed material in which a color image layer is formed on a background image layer on a printing medium can thus be obtained.
  • An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that when a color image layer which represents an image and a background image which is superimposed onto the color image layer are printed on a printing medium, it is possible to form image layers in which the effect of the background image is reduced.
  • Application Example 1 is a printer for printing on a printing medium by moving a printing head ( 250 ), which discharges ink from a nozzle, in a relative manner with respect to the printing medium in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction which intersects the main scanning direction, the printer including: a first image data setting unit ( 112 ) for setting first image data (D 1 ) for forming a color image layer representing an image; a second image data setting unit ( 114 ) for setting second image data (D 2 ) which forms a background image layer that is superimposed onto the color image layer and has a data format that is different from the data format of the first image data (D 1 ); and a control unit which receives the first and second image data (D 1 , D 2 ) from the first and second image data setting units ( 112 , 114 ) and creates ink level data that indicates an amount of ink to be discharged from a nozzle of the printing head ( 250 ), wherein the control unit creates first ink level data indicating
  • the control unit in the printer according to Application Example 1 creates the ink level data on the basis of the first image data which is set by the first image data setting unit and is for forming the color image layer, and on the basis of the second image data which is set by the second image data setting unit, forms the background image layer that is superimposed onto the color image layer, and has a data format that is different from the data format of the first image data.
  • control unit causes at least one of nozzle groups of the printing head that includes the first nozzle group, which prints first at the upstream side, and the second nozzle group, which is adjacent to the first nozzle group and prints at the downstream side, to discharge ink from the first and second nozzle groups on the basis of both the first and second ink level data, it is possible to obtain a variety of printed material that take into account ink color characteristics and ink quantity, etc. of the first image data and second image data.
  • Application Example 2 is a printer in which the first image data that is set by the first image data setting unit is RGB data, and the second image data that is set by the second image data setting unit is CMYK data.
  • Application Example 3 is a printer in which the printing head ( 250 ) includes: a plurality of color ink nozzle rows in which nozzles for discharging color ink capable of forming the color image layer are arranged in the sub-scanning direction; and a special ink nozzle row in which nozzles that discharge special ink capable of forming the background image layer are arranged parallel to the color ink nozzle rows.
  • Application Example 4 is a printer in which, when ink having the same color is discharged from each of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group in the same region of the printing medium, the control unit controls these amounts of ink on the basis of a predetermined correlation.
  • Application Example 5 is a printer in which the control unit performs control on the basis of the predetermined correlation so as to reduce the amount of ink of the first or second nozzle group ( 250 F, 250 S).
  • Application Example 6 is a printer in which the special ink is white ink.
  • Application Example 7 is a printer in which the special ink is metallic ink.
  • Application Example 8 is a printer in which the control unit uses metallic ink as the special ink and performs control in such a way that the amount of white ink on the background image layer formed of the metallic ink is less than the amount of the white ink in a region in which the metallic ink is not present.
  • Application Example 9 is a printing method in which first image data for forming a color image layer representing an image and second image data which forms a background image layer that is superimposed onto the color image layer and has a data format that is different from the data format of the first image data are used to create ink level data that indicates an amount of ink discharged from a nozzle of a printing head, the printing image control method including: processing to create first ink level data indicating ink quantity, by color-converting the first image data; processing to create second ink level data indicating ink quantity, by color-converting the second image data; and processing to cause at least one of nozzle groups of the printing head that includes a first nozzle group, which prints first at an upstream side, and a second nozzle group, which is adjacent to the first nozzle group and prints at a downstream side, to discharge ink from the first and second nozzle groups on the basis of both the first and second ink level data.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram showing a printing head.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating the configuration of the printing system.
  • FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram showing an input image on a computer display.
  • FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram showing an image which has been printed by means of a front printing mode from among special printing modes.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing the front printing mode.
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrative diagrams showing the printing process of the front printing mode.
  • FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram of a printing medium viewed from the rear surface.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing a rear printing mode.
  • FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrative diagrams showing the printing process of the rear printing mode.
  • FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram of a printing medium viewed from the front surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the printing system 10 includes, among other components, a computer 100 and a printer 200 which in practice prints an image under the control of the computer 100 .
  • the entire printing system 10 as a single unit functions as a printing device in the broad sense.
  • the computer 100 is a commonly-known computer which is configured by connecting a CPU and other components such as ROM and RAM together by means of a bus.
  • a predetermined operating system is installed in the computer 100 , and an application program operates under this operating system.
  • a printer driver is integrated in the operating system. When image data to be printed is acquired, the printer driver operates to thereby control the printer 200 and print the image data.
  • the printer 200 is configured from: a mechanism for transporting a printing medium P in a sub-scanning direction on a platen 236 by means of a paper feed motor 235 ; a mechanism for moving a carriage 240 reciprocally in the axial direction of the platen 236 (main scanning direction) by means of a carriage motor 230 ; a mechanism for driving a printing head 250 mounted in the carriage 240 , to discharge ink and form dots; and a control circuit 260 for controlling the exchange of signals between the paper feed motor 235 , carriage motor 230 , printing head 250 , and an operation panel 270 .
  • the carriage 240 has mounted therein: color ink cartridges 242 to 245 which respectively accommodate cyan ink C, magenta ink M, yellow ink Y, and black ink K as color ink; and special ink cartridges 246 and 247 which respectively accommodate metallic ink Mt and white ink Wh.
  • color ink cartridges 242 to 245 which respectively accommodate cyan ink C, magenta ink M, yellow ink Y, and black ink K as color ink
  • special ink cartridges 246 and 247 which respectively accommodate metallic ink Mt and white ink Wh.
  • Six types of nozzle rows 252 to 257 corresponding to the aforementioned color inks and special inks of each color are formed in the printing head 250 in the lower section of the carriage 240 .
  • color ink in the application also includes black ink.
  • the color inks are dye inks in the embodiment, but the color ink type is not particularly limited and the color inks may also be, for example, pigment inks
  • the cyan ink C, magenta ink M, and yellow ink Y with which colors are rendered by means of subtractive color mixing are referred to as the “three primary color inks”, and inks other than the three primary color inks, namely metallic ink and white ink, are referred to as “special inks”
  • the metallic ink is an ink which imparts a metallic effect to printed material, and for this kind of metallic ink, it is possible to use, for example, an oil-based ink composition including a metal pigment for imparting a metallic effect, an organic solvent, and a resin. This kind of metal pigment can be formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and it is also possible for the metal pigment to be made by crushing a
  • FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram showing the printing head 250 , where the bottom surface (surface facing the printing medium P) of the printing head 250 is shown schematically.
  • the printing head 250 includes the nozzle rows 252 to 257 which are formed by a plurality of nozzles being arranged in rows in a sub-scanning direction Y. In the embodiment, each nozzle row is formed from 180 nozzles.
  • These nozzle rows 252 to 257 discharge cyan ink C, magenta ink M, yellow ink Y, black ink K, white ink Wh, and metallic ink Mt, respectively, in accordance with the ink colors of the cartridges mounted in the carriage 240 .
  • the nozzle row corresponding to each ink color is formed by nozzles being arranged in a single row, but the arrangement of the nozzles in a single nozzle row is not particularly limited and, for example, may be implemented in such a way that nozzles are arranged in a plurality of rows and the nozzles of the plurality of rows are arranged in a staggered manner.
  • the nozzle rows 252 to 257 are implemented in such a way that they are divided into a plurality of rows in a main scanning direction X perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction Y and discharge ink. For example, in FIG.
  • the nozzle rows 252 to 257 are implemented in such a way that they are divided into an upstream-side first nozzle group 250 F and a downstream-side second nozzle group 250 S in the sub-scanning direction and are able to discharge ink.
  • the control circuit 260 of the printer 200 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting a CPU, ROM, RAM, PIF (peripheral equipment interface), and so on, together by means of a bus, and controls the main scanning operation and sub-scanning operation of the carriage 240 by controlling the operation of the carriage motor 230 and paper feed motor 235 . Furthermore, when the control circuit 260 receives ink level data output from the computer 100 , the control circuit 260 supplies a drive signal corresponding to the ink level data, to the printing head 250 in accordance with the main scanning or sub-scanning motion of the carriage 240 , and is thereby able to drive the head for the colors. It should be noted that the control circuit 260 corresponds to the control unit in the claims.
  • the printer 200 having the aforementioned hardware configuration drives the carriage motor 230 to thereby move the printing head 250 (the nozzle rows 252 to 257 of each color) reciprocally in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing medium P, and also drives the paper feed motor 235 to thereby move the printing medium P in the sub-scanning direction.
  • the control circuit 260 drives the nozzles at an appropriate timing on the basis of the ink level data and in accordance with the reciprocal motion (main scanning) of the carriage 240 and the paper-feeding motion (sub-scanning) of the printing medium, and thereby forms an ink dot of an appropriate color in an appropriate position on the printing medium P.
  • the printer 200 it is possible for the printer 200 to print a color image on the printing medium P.
  • transparent printing media such as OHP film besides non-transparent printing media such as normal paper and card.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating the configuration of the printing system 10 .
  • the printing system 10 includes: an image data setting unit 110 which is mounted in the computer 100 ; a color conversion module 262 , which is constituted by a program, etc. in the control circuit 260 of the printer 200 ; and a printing control unit 264 for controlling the color conversion module 262 and printing head 250 .
  • the image data setting unit 110 has functions which allow a user to set image data and a background image to be printed on a printing medium; that is, the image data setting unit 110 includes a first image data setting unit 112 and a second image data setting unit 114 .
  • the first image data setting unit 112 is an interface for setting first image data D 1 which is created by the user by means of an image editing application, etc.
  • the first image data D 1 is, for example, data which forms a color space consisting of R, G, and B color components having 256 gradations, and which forms a color image layer.
  • the second image data setting unit 114 is an interface for setting second image data D 2 which forms a background image layer that is superimposed onto the color image layer.
  • the second image data D 2 is data which can be created by the user by means of an image editing application, etc., and, for example, shows white density and color density in 256 CMYK-format gradations which can be visually perceived by the user.
  • the second image data D 2 has a data format which is different from the first image data D 1 and constitutes image data of a color system that includes CMYK as the base colors.
  • the first and second image data setting units 112 and 114 can set the first and second image data D 1 and D 2 by use of the interface shown in FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram showing an input screen menu on a display 102 of the computer 100 .
  • the menu is provided with a file designating section 103 , background image setting section 104 , and printing mode setting section 105 .
  • the file designating section 103 constitutes a command which makes it possible for the user to set an image file as the first image data D 1 .
  • the background image setting section 104 constitutes a command which makes it possible to set the second image data D 2 by selecting and designating an item from predetermined items (none, recommended white) by means of a pull-down menu.
  • the printing mode setting section 105 is a menu for selecting either one of front printing or rear printing. The front printing and rear printing modes will be described hereafter.
  • a printing image which has been set by using this file designating section 103 and background image setting section 104 is displayed by a display unit 106 .
  • the color conversion module 262 includes a first color conversion unit 262 a and a second color conversion unit 262 b .
  • the first color conversion unit 262 a in accordance with a pre-prepared first color conversion table LUT 1 , converts R, G, and B color component data of a color region of the first image data D 1 into color components (cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (B)) which can be rendered by the printer 200 , and also sets the color ink quantity as ink level data.
  • RGB values of each pixel making up the first image data D 1 are each converted into CMYK values on the basis of the first color conversion table LUT 1 to thereby create CMYK-format color ink level data.
  • the first color conversion table LUT 1 is a table for converting, for example, input data having 256 gradations in the RGB format into output data having 256 gradations in the CMYK format, and defines CMYK values corresponding to each RGB value.
  • the RGB values of each pixel making up the first image data D 1 are converted into white ink level data Wh 2 on the basis of a second white conversion table LUT 2 .
  • the second white conversion table LUT 2 is a table for converting input data having 256 gradations in the RGB format into output data having 256 gradations in the Wh format, and defines Wh values corresponding to each RGB value.
  • the RGB values of each pixel making up the first image data D 1 are respectively converted into CMYK color ink level data or Wh 2 white ink level data in accordance with the first and second color conversion tables LUT 1 and LUT 2 .
  • the second color conversion unit 262 b in accordance with a pre-prepared third color conversion table LUT 3 , converts CMYK data of a background image region of the second image data D 2 into color ink level data (C), etc. and white ink level data Wh 1 .
  • the third color conversion table LUT 3 is a one-dimensional table for converting input data indicating density values having 256 gradations into ink level data indicating the level amount of white ink and color ink having 256 gradations, and defines values corresponding to each density value.
  • the printing control unit 264 carries out data processing while synchronizing the color conversion module 262 ; that is, the data sequence of half-toned image data is reordered to a sequence for transfer to the printing head 250 and is output as ink level data.
  • the printing control unit 264 implements a normal printing mode in which all of the nozzle rows of the printing head 250 are used to form a single color image layer on the printing medium, and also implements, as special printing modes, a front printing mode and rear printing mode, etc. in which the nozzle rows of the printing head 250 are divided.
  • FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram showing an image which has been printed by means of the front printing mode from among the special printing modes.
  • the front printing mode is a mode with which a target image TP is obtained by second image data D 2 being used to form a solid background image layer BL on the surface of a printing medium and first image data D 1 being used to form a color image layer CL thereon.
  • the image shown in FIG. 5 is described together with FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 and the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 for the case in which the image is printed by means of the front printing mode.
  • the input screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 102 . In FIG.
  • first image data D 1 which forms a color image layer is set, and, furthermore, when a background image layer is selected in the background image setting section 104 , second image data D 2 is set.
  • a white-based background including cyan (C) as well as white (Wh 1 ) is selected as the background image layer BL.
  • step S 102 when the first and second image data D 1 and D 2 set by the image data setting unit 110 in FIG. 3 are acquired, in the following step S 104 , it is determined whether or not the first and second image data D 1 and D 2 are RGB data.
  • step S 104 the process advances to step S 106 and first color conversion processing is carried out.
  • the first color conversion processing is the processing described with respect to the first color conversion unit 262 a in FIG. 3 , namely that RGB data of the first image data D 1 is converted in accordance with the pre-prepared first color conversion table LUT 1 into first ink level data indicating CMYK-format color ink level data.
  • the data of a region indicating a white image is converted on the basis of the second white conversion table LUT 2 into first ink level data indicating white ink level data Wh 2 .
  • the RGB values of each pixel of the first image data D 1 are converted into five sets of ink level data indicating C, M, Y, K, and Wh 2 , respectively, in accordance with the first and second color conversion tables LUT 1 and LUT 2 .
  • step S 108 the process advances to step S 108 and second color conversion processing is carried out.
  • the second color conversion processing is the processing described with respect to the second color conversion unit 262 b in FIG. 3 , namely that CMYK data of the second image data D 2 is converted in accordance with the pre-prepared third color conversion table LUT 3 into second ink level data (Wh 1 or C) indicating ink quantity.
  • step S 110 when one of the five sets of data indicating C, M, Y, K, and Wh 2 following color conversion is determined as not being white ink level data Wh 2 , that is, when one of the aforementioned five sets of data is determined as being color ink level data, the process advances to step S 112 .
  • step S 112 the CMYK nozzle rows of the second nozzle group 250 S are set as nozzle rows to be used by the printing head 250 shown in FIG. 2 .
  • step S 114 the Wh and C nozzle rows of the first nozzle group 250 F are set as nozzle rows to be used by the printing head 250 , with regard to both the ink level data in relation to which the first image data D 1 was determined as being white ink level data Wh 2 by means of the determination made in step S 110 , and the ink level data of the second image data subjected to second color conversion processing in step S 108 .
  • step S 116 printing is carried out on the printing medium by driving the printing head 250 in the main scanning direction and also moving the printing medium in the sub-scanning direction, and by discharging inks from the nozzle rows of the nozzle groups set in steps S 112 and S 114 .
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrative diagrams showing the printing process of the front printing mode.
  • FIG. 7A shows a process in which a background image layer BL is mainly printed
  • FIG. 7B shows a process in which a color image layer CL is mainly printed.
  • white ink and cyan ink are discharged from nozzle row (Wh) and nozzle row (C) from among the upstream-side first nozzle group 250 F of the printing head 250 , and a background region R[Wh 1 +C] of the background image layer BL is printed on the printing medium P.
  • white ink is discharged from nozzle row (Wh) from among the first nozzle group 250 F and a white region R[Wh 2 ] forming a portion of the background image layer BL is printed on the printing medium P.
  • the white region R[Wh 2 ] of the first image data is formed on the printing medium P in a region which does not overlap with the background region R[Wh 1 +C]. As shown in FIG.
  • the printing medium P intermittently moves in the sub-scanning direction by the length of a nozzle group, inks are discharged from nozzle rows (CMYK) from among the downstream-side second nozzle group 250 S, and a color region R[CMYK] of the color image layer CL is printed on the printing medium P.
  • the color region R[CMYK] is formed on the printing medium P in a region which does not overlap with the white region R[Wh 2 ].
  • FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram of the printing medium P viewed from the rear surface.
  • the background region R[Wh 1 +C] and white region R[Wh 2 ] can be seen on the rear surface of the printing medium P.
  • the white region R[Wh 2 ] extracted from the first image data is formed without overlapping the background region R[Wh 1 +C]. In this way, it is possible to obtain a distinct white image because the white region R[Wh 2 ] does not overlap the background region R[Wh 1 +C] and is not affected by the colors of the background region R[Wh 1 +C].
  • the rear printing mode is a mode with which a target image TP is obtained by the first image data being used to form a color image layer on the surface of a transparent or semi-transparent printing medium and the second image data being used to form a background image layer thereon.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing the rear printing mode. This processing is almost the same as the front printing mode shown in FIG. 6 , but step S 112 B and step S 114 B are different in order to change the printing order of the background image layer and color image layer. That is, as shown in FIG.
  • an image file is selected by means of the file designating section 103 and a background image layer is selected by means of the background image setting section 104 , and when the execution button is pressed after the rear printing mode has been selected in the printing mode setting section 105 , processing which is described in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is carried out by the printing control unit 264 . More specifically, after processing for the first image data color conversion, etc. has been carried out, in step S 112 B the CMYK nozzle rows of the first nozzle group 250 F are set as nozzle rows to be used by the printing head 250 . However, after processing for the second image data color conversion, etc.
  • step S 114 B the Wh and C nozzle rows of the second nozzle group 250 S are set as nozzle rows to be used by the printing head 250 .
  • step S 116 printing is carried out on the printing medium P by discharging inks from the nozzle rows of the nozzle groups set in steps S 112 B and S 114 B.
  • FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrative diagrams showing the printing process of the rear printing mode
  • FIG. 10A shows a process in which a color image layer CL is mainly printed
  • FIG. 10B shows a process in which a background image layer BL is mainly printed.
  • inks are discharged from nozzle rows (CMYK) from among the upstream-side first nozzle group 250 F of the printing head 250 , and a color region R[CMYK] of the color image layer CL is printed on the printing medium P.
  • the white region R[Wh 2 ] of the first image data is not formed on the printing medium P at this time.
  • the printing medium P intermittently moves in the sub-scanning direction by the length of a nozzle group, white ink and cyan ink are discharged from the nozzle row (Wh) and the nozzle row (C) from among the downstream-side second nozzle group 250 S, and a background region R[Wh 1 +C] of the background image layer BL is printed on the printing medium P.
  • white ink is discharged from nozzle row (Wh) from among the second nozzle group 250 S and a white region R[Wh 2 ] forming a portion of the color image layer CL is printed on the printing medium P.
  • the white region R[Wh 2 ] of the first image data is formed on the printing medium P in a region which does not overlap with the background region R[Wh 1 +C].
  • FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram of the printing medium P viewed from the front surface.
  • the background region R[Wh 1 +C] and white region R[Wh 2 ] can be seen on the front surface of the printing medium P.
  • the white region R[Wh 2 ] extracted from the first image data is formed without overlapping the background region R[Wh 1 +C]. In this way, it is possible to obtain a distinct white image because the white region R[Wh 2 ] does not overlap the background region R[Wh 1 +C] and is not affected by the colors of the background region R[Wh 1 +C].
  • the amount of white ink is controlled among the nozzle rows when the color image layer and background image layer are superimposed; however, it is also possible for the amount of metallic ink to be controlled as well as the amount of white ink.
  • the printing head is divided into two nozzle groups; however, it is also possible for the printing head to be divided into three or more nozzle groups to thereby obtain a variety of printed material including many layers.
  • the amount of ink that is discharged from each nozzle row may be increased or decreased in consideration of the properties of each color when a plurality of layers are superimposed on one another.
  • metallic ink is used as a special ink and a layer of white ink is superimposed on a layer of metallic ink, it is possible to perform control in such a way that the amount of white ink is reduced and the amount of color ink is not altered. Therefore, as a result of the light-blocking effect afforded by the metallic ink, the appearance is hardly affected even when the amount of white ink is reduced.
  • a configuration is described in which the printing head is moved in the main scanning direction and the printing medium is moved in the sub-scanning direction; however, a form may also be implemented in which the printing head and printing medium move in a relative manner with, for example, the printing head moving in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the printing medium and the printing medium moving in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing head.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
US13/774,102 2012-04-19 2013-02-22 Printing control device and printing image control method Active 2033-04-07 US9079420B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2012-095293 2012-04-19
JP2012095293A JP6031809B2 (ja) 2012-04-19 2012-04-19 印刷制御装置および印刷画像制御方法

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130278660A1 US20130278660A1 (en) 2013-10-24
US9079420B2 true US9079420B2 (en) 2015-07-14

Family

ID=49379708

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/774,102 Active 2033-04-07 US9079420B2 (en) 2012-04-19 2013-02-22 Printing control device and printing image control method

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US9079420B2 (ja)
JP (1) JP6031809B2 (ja)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10382654B2 (en) 2016-01-29 2019-08-13 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Printing background print agents

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5891141B2 (ja) * 2012-07-20 2016-03-22 株式会社沖データ 画像形成装置、画像形成方法及びデータ生成方法
JP2015212018A (ja) 2014-05-01 2015-11-26 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット記録装置
JP2016061947A (ja) * 2014-09-18 2016-04-25 富士ゼロックス株式会社 画像形成装置及び画像データ処理装置
US9213924B1 (en) * 2014-10-21 2015-12-15 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for printing colored and white toner
JP6468154B2 (ja) * 2015-09-30 2019-02-13 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成装置、及び、画像形成プログラム
JP6571714B2 (ja) * 2017-05-01 2019-09-04 ローランドディー．ジー．株式会社 インクジェットプリンタ
JP7151136B2 (ja) * 2018-04-03 2022-10-12 富士フイルムビジネスイノベーション株式会社 情報処理装置及びプログラム
WO2019232090A1 (en) * 2018-05-31 2019-12-05 Nike, Inc. Methods and systems for a textile treatment system
JP7110873B2 (ja) * 2018-09-27 2022-08-02 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット記録方法及びインクジェット記録装置
JP2022011190A (ja) * 2020-06-29 2022-01-17 ブラザー工業株式会社 印刷装置、印刷プログラム、及び印刷方法

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08108574A (ja) 1994-10-13 1996-04-30 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd 画像出力装置
US20040004643A1 (en) * 2002-07-08 2004-01-08 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid discharge method and apparatus and display device panel manufacturing method and apparatus
US20050237352A1 (en) 2004-04-27 2005-10-27 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc. Inkjet recording apparatus
US20090244137A1 (en) * 2008-03-28 2009-10-01 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus
US20100203824A1 (en) * 2001-01-19 2010-08-12 Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. Wireless output device for wireless data rendering
US20110221805A1 (en) * 2010-03-10 2011-09-15 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing device and printing method
US20110234660A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus, printing method, printing control method, and computer program

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010052207A (ja) * 2008-08-27 2010-03-11 Seiko Epson Corp 印刷装置と印刷方法
JP5597966B2 (ja) * 2009-10-20 2014-10-01 セイコーエプソン株式会社 印刷装置、印刷プログラムおよび印刷方法

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08108574A (ja) 1994-10-13 1996-04-30 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd 画像出力装置
US20100203824A1 (en) * 2001-01-19 2010-08-12 Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. Wireless output device for wireless data rendering
US20040004643A1 (en) * 2002-07-08 2004-01-08 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid discharge method and apparatus and display device panel manufacturing method and apparatus
US20050237352A1 (en) 2004-04-27 2005-10-27 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc. Inkjet recording apparatus
WO2005105452A1 (ja) 2004-04-27 2005-11-10 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc. インクジェット記録装置
US7407277B2 (en) 2004-04-27 2008-08-05 Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc. Inkjet recording apparatus
US20090244137A1 (en) * 2008-03-28 2009-10-01 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus
US20110221805A1 (en) * 2010-03-10 2011-09-15 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing device and printing method
US20110234660A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing apparatus, printing method, printing control method, and computer program

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10382654B2 (en) 2016-01-29 2019-08-13 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Printing background print agents

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP6031809B2 (ja) 2016-11-24
US20130278660A1 (en) 2013-10-24
JP2013220640A (ja) 2013-10-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9079420B2 (en) Printing control device and printing image control method
US8529043B2 (en) Printing apparatus
JP5742154B2 (ja) 印刷装置
US8002376B2 (en) Printing device and printing method
JP5516249B2 (ja) 印刷装置、印刷方法
JP5130988B2 (ja) 印刷装置、印刷制御装置および印刷方法
JP5625397B2 (ja) 印刷装置
US20030007165A1 (en) Direction-dependent color conversion in bidirectional printing
CN101659146B (zh) 打印装置、打印方法、程序及打印品
JP5560681B2 (ja) 記録方法、記録物、記録装置及び動作制御プログラム
US8777352B2 (en) Printing device, printing method, and medium having recorded program
JP2011183715A (ja) 印刷装置及び印刷方法
US8888205B2 (en) Printing device, printing method, and medium having recorded program
JP5072349B2 (ja) 画像形成装置およびその制御方法
JP5811557B2 (ja) 画像形成装置、及びプログラム
US20080238975A1 (en) Ink-jet recording apparatus
JP2014217950A (ja) 記録装置、及び、記録方法
JP5072350B2 (ja) 画像形成装置およびその制御方法
JP6056839B2 (ja) 印刷装置、印刷方法、コンピュータプログラムおよび記録媒体
US20040196476A1 (en) Online bi-directional color calibration
JP2012227591A (ja) 画像処理装置、印刷装置、画像処理プログラムおよび画像処理方法
JP6079820B2 (ja) 印刷ヘッド
JP6167580B2 (ja) 印刷制御装置、印刷装置の制御方法および印刷システム
US8274695B2 (en) Image processing apparatus and droplet ejection apparatus
US20080049237A1 (en) Image processing apparatus, image printing apparatus and printing data generation method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TSUJI, HIROYUKI;REEL/FRAME:029861/0825

Effective date: 20130218

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 4

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 8